Box-stapling machine.



No. 692,882. Patented FBIL'H, I902.

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 27, 1901.) (No Model.) l0 SheetsShaet L awaWM I 1 11i THE NDRRIS PETERS 00., Puoroumo wnsumoruu. n. z:v

No. 692,882. Patented Feb.-l|, I902.

P. F,ILINDT.

Box STAPLING MACHINE.

-- (Application filed May 27, 1901.) (No Model.) m Sheets-Sheet a.

No. 692,882. Patented Feb. ll, I902.

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

Ill

No. 692,882. Patented Feb. ll, I902.

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 27, 1901.)

(No Model.) I I0 sheets-sheet 6.

. A y W 2 H J .10 V I /67 a 62 (I 3 a2 "6 v v Hlunuu No. 692,882. Y Patented Feb. u, I902.

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 27,. 1901.) (No Model'.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 7.

Zi ,25%- f hawk iguizliwrfi I 15? No. 692,882. Patented Feb. ll, I902;

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

' (Appli Hon filed May 27, 1901 Ill mmmmmnnllllliiiiiillilmmuununmlmmnm lllllll III)! a j WI r I V i- II.- 0 [I lllllllllllll II (No Model.)

P. F. LINDT.

BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 27, 1901.)

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H 11* Wil My MW 0 N i Ill @1 k I O o M16 l/ i I 1 4/; W M g E i (a v x fi l (H I MU l W"""' HHHW.W M u :2? m N O [WI ML No. 692,882. Patented Feb. n, I902. P. F. LINDT. BOX STAPLING MACHINE.

I0 Sheets-Sheet in.

(Application filed May 27. 1901.)

(No Model.)

awful- 2212 Jam n: mums PETERS co, PHDTOVLI'YNDH wnsnmm'ou. n. c

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILLIP FRED LINDT, OF ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN.

BOX-STAPLING MACHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 692,882, dated February 1] 1902.

Application filed May 27, 1901.v Serial No. 62,074. (No model.)

To 110% whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILLIP FEED LINDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Joseph, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Stapling-Maehines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stapling-machines in general, but more particularly to machines for stapling together the parts of a crate, box, or other like receptacle.

The objects of the invention are the provision of a simple, effective, and comparatively inexpensive machine for securing together the parts of a crate or similar article; to provide a machine capable of rapid and eflicient work without mutilating the stock or material; tosecure accuracy in driving the staples; to provide a machine capable of driving the staples into the edges of comparatively thin boards; to provide a machine capable of sta pling together the various parts of a crate, box, or like article with as little handling or manipulation of the material as possible; to provide for the automatic removal of the finished work or product from the form; to provide suitable forming mechanism capable of producing staples with straight points; to provide simple and effective mechanism for bending the points of the staples; to reduce the cost of certain articles of manu facture-such, for example, as berry-crates, egg-erates,boxes,' baskets, and other similar receptacles; to make it possible to provide crates, boxes, &c. which are not only cheaper, but which are also stronger and better adapted to withstand handling and rough usage, and to provide' certain details of improvement tending to increase'the general efficiency and to render a machine of this character serviceable and satisfactory in its operation;

To the foregoing and other useful ends the stapling mechanism can comprise means for cutting the wire into suitable lengths and for then bending such lengths into the proper shape. Preferably the cutting device is of such'character that the said lengths are provided with one-sided points, and for this reason the staples when bent have one-sided points which are out of line with each other. Before the staples are driven into the wood these points are bent or deflected, so as to bring them into line and so as to provide each leg of the staple with a straight point. In this way the staples are bent or turned at their points in such m-anneras to permit them to be driven straight into the wood without being deflected to one side. Furthermore, by thus bending the points of the staples they are made to enter the wood in such manner as to be less liable to pull out, and thereby insure greater strength on the part of the crate or box.

The staple bending and driving devices are preferably arranged in a row or line, and the form for holding the Work is preferably constructed with devices or means for holding the transverse boards or walls of the crate, the number of staple bending and driving devices corresponding to the number of transverse walls or boardsof the crate or box and the form being arranged in position to hold each transverse board or wall in line with its allotted stapling device. Said form can be mounted for rotation about ahorizontal axis, so as to enable it to turn and successively present the side and bottom edges of the boards to the stapling devices. The slats or side and bottom portions of the crate or box can be antomatically deposited upon the form, and in this way it will only be necessary to first insort the boards or transverse walls of the crate in the form and to then start the machine, the slats or sides of the crate being automatically deposited upon the form andthen sta pled to the boards and the form then being automatically turned to enable it to present the succeeding edges of the boards. A support can be provided for the form, and the form and its support can be arranged to separate automatically, so as to allow the form to rotate and to then rengage the under side of the form during the operation of driving the staples, so as to sustain the weight of the form and the pressure of the drivers. The axis of the form is preferably parallel with the row of stapling devices, and the bodily forward-and-back movement of the form is preferably in a direction at right angles to said axis, and the form while advancing below the staple bending and driving devices is preferably given an intermittent shift or feeding movement, so as to allow the staples to be driven into the wood. With this arrangement the form moves forward the required distance, stops to allow the requisite number of staples to be driven through'the slat and into boards, and then moves on and repeats the operation until the required number of slats have been secured to said boards. The arrangement can be such that the machine will stop each time the form returns to its original or inoperative position. Preferably the form is automatically turned during its return to such position and at a point near ejected from the machine by the return of.

the form into position to start the construction of the next crate. In this waythe manipulation of the stock and also of the 4 finished work or product is reduced to a minimum. If desired, however, the removal of the crate from the form can be accomplished by hand. In some cases it may be preferable to removethe crate by hand, while in others it may be preferable to allow the machine to remove or eject the crate automat ically. It will also be seen that, if desired, the form can be rotated by hand and that the means for automatically feeding the slats can likewise be dispensed with. In other words, the turning of the form, the removal of the crate or box, and also the feeding of the slats can be accomplished automatically or by hand, as may be best suited to circumstances.

Ordinarily crates, boxes, and like articles are constructed by nailing together the parts of which they are composed. Nailing is a comparatively expensive operation, and, furthermore, nailed crates are illy adapted to withstand handling and'rough usage. When stapled, however, the parts of a crate are secured together so firmly as to make it permissable to subject the crate to more or less handling or rough usage without injurious elfects. Furthermore, the stapled crate is not only stronger and, as explained, better adapted to withstand use and handling, but is also cheaper and less expensive to manufacture. p

The principal object of this invention is, therefore, the production of a stronger, more durable, and better article at less cost than heretofore.

The character of the invention, together withother points and advantages, will here-.

inafter more fully appear. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a crate-stapling machine support.

embodying the principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is'a side elevationof the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical. section on the same line in the same figure looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 5 is a perspective of an ordinary berry-crate. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the rotary form and its sliding or shifting Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the staple bending and driving devices, aportion of the face-plate being broken away to expose the former and driver. In this View the former and driver are in their elevated positions and the wire is shown in position across the loop-bar. Fig. 8 is a detail showing the lower end of the former and driver and adjacent parts, the view showing the way in which the staple is bent over the loop-bar by the downward movement of the former. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9 9 in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on line 10 10 in Fig. 8. Fig. 11 isa view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the former and driver down and a staple driven into the wood. Fig. 12 is a vertical section on line 12 12 in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the form in its extreme rear or inoperative position and showing the upper part of the machine broken away. Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13-that is to say, the position of the parts being the same, but the section being taken on the line 14 14 in Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but illustrating a somewhat difier ent construction and a different arrangement for securing a separation of the form and its support. In this figure the form is shown in its extreme rear or inoperative position. Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig.15, the construction being the same, but the form in this case being shown in its extreme forward position. Fig. 17 is a plan of the construction and parts shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 .is a View similar. to Fig. 17, but showing the form in the position shown in Fig. 15 and illustrating the manner in which the arms or grappling-hooks automatically remove the crate from the form.

, projections on the form automatically remove the slats from the bottom of the hopper or holder. Fig. 25 is a section on line 25 25 in Fig. 7.

The machine thus illustrated, is adapted for stapling together the partsof an ordinary berrycrate, such as the one shown in Fig. 5. A crate of this kind consists of the transverse or end boards 1 1, the intermediate board or partition 2, the slats or side pieces 3, the slats or bottom pieces 4, and the similar slats or side pieces 5. As illustrated in-Fig. 5, each slat is secured to the transverse boards or walls by nine staples, there being three staplesat each end and three in the middle. In making the crate the slats or side pieces 3 3 are the ones first secured to the crateboards, the staples 6 being driven first. The crate is given an intermittent forward movement, and after the staples 6 have been driven the crate is then moved along and the staples 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 follow in their order. In this way three staples are driven at a time, one at'each end and one in the middle, and it requires three successive operations'of the stapling devices to secure a slat to the crateboards. The slats or bottom pieces 4 are next secured to the bottom edges of the crateboards, the operation being identical with that just described and it being understood that after stapling on the sides 3 the form is then turned so as to bring the bottom edges of the crate-boards uppermost. The final operation consists in again turning the form so as to bring the remaining side edges uppermost and then stapling on the slats or side pieces 5 5. This, in brief, is the operation of making a crate with a machine constructed in accordance with the invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention is applicable to the making of crates, boxes, and baskets of various kinds and that the invention is not limited to the production of crates of the exact form shown and described.

The stapling-machineillustrated comprises an upright frame or body A, adapted to pro Vide suitable bearings for the various shafts and operative parts. At the upper portion said frame or body is provided with guideways a, in which the horizontal bar a is arranged for vertical reciprocation. At a point immediately below said bar the two sides of the frame or body can be connected by a stationary bar o The lower ends of the sides of the frame or body can be connectedby suitable webs or bars 0. In this way a rigid frame or body is provided, and ample space or room is provided for the shafts, gearing, and other operative parts. Arranged horizontally between the two side portions of the frame the vertically-reciprocating table B provides a suitable support for the form C. Said table can be arranged to slide in guideways on the frame or body. The said form is preferably mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and is preferably carried by the horizontally sliding or shifting support D. This support can be arranged for forward-and-back movement in guideways on the said table, the arrangement being preferably such that the form will have a bodily forward-and-back movement as the result of its sliding or shifting connection with the table and also a bodily rise and fall as a result of the vertical reciprocation of said table. The rotary form is adapted to hold the workthat is to say, is adapted to hold the stock or material for making the crate-and is preferably mounted in bearings c, which are arranged to slide up and down in the guideways d. These guideways, it will be observed,rise from the opposite ends pieces.

of the support D and permit the form to normally rest or bear upon the support D. The form is preferably provided with meansfor holding the boards or transverse walls of the crate in position to receive the slats or side The devices for holding the crateboards can be of any suitable form or construction, but preferably consist of recesses 01', d and d arranged with respect to the position which these'boards occupy in the crate. The said recesses can be provided with clamping-plates d backed by springs (1 (see Fig. 18,) and with this arrangement the three crate-boards can be inserted edgewise into the said recesses and when thus inserted will be firmly maintained in place by the pressure of the said plates and springs. In inserting these boards their top'edges are inserted first,

and when in place these top edges will rest against the connecting framework or false bottom (1. This, it will be seen, leaves the side and bottom edges of the crate-boards exposed and in position to receive the slats or side pieces of the crate. When held by the form, the crate-boards rest upon the support D during the operation of driving the staples. In this way the support D sustains the weight of the form and the pressure of the drivers during the operation of securing the slats to the edges of the crate-boards.

The staple bending and driving devices may be of any suitable known or approved construction. As a matter, however, of further and special improvement the mechan ism for bending and driving the staples is constructed as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,22, and 25. The stapling devices E thus constructed are carried by the bars a (1 It will be observed that the number of said devices corresponds to the number of crateboards. It will also be observed that when inserted in the form each crate-board is inline with its allotted staple bending and driving device. As illustrated, the crate'is provided with three boards or transverse walls, and consequently the machine illustrated comprises three staple bending and driving devices each arranged in position to operate upon the side and bottom edges of one of said boards. As the three stapling devicesshown are all similar in construct-ion and operation a description of one will be 'sufficientq In each device,therefore, the mechanism for cutting, bending, and driving the staples comprises a former e, a driver e, a loop-bar c and the point-bending dogs or fingers e IIO I to

will yield and prevent the driver from crushing the slat. The said former is preferably bifurcated and slidingly connected with the driver. In order to secure the desired relative movement on the part of the former and driver, the said former can have its upper end connected with thebracket e" by means of a spring (2". The tension of this spring will keep the prongs or bifurcated lower end at all times below the driver, except when the driver descends for the purpose of driving in the staples, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In Figs. 7 and 25 the former and driver are in their normal relative positions, the

prongs or bifurcatedlower ends of the former extending slightly below the lower end of the driver. In this position the pivoted loop-bar e occupies a position to cooperate with said former in bending the wire. When the bar a is at the upper end of its stroke and for a portion of its downward stroke, the former and driver are locked against relative movement by the swinging arm ,or latch 6 This arm maybe pivoted to the bracket 6 and can be arranged in such manner that its lower end will engage the upper end of the former 6, thereby locking the former and driver against relative movement. A spring 2 can be employed for holding the said arm or latch in po sition to lock the former and driver against relative movement. The wire no is fed across the loop-bar, as shown in Figs. 7 and 25, the

feeding mechanism consisting, preferably, of

a pair of rolls e a \Vhen locked against rela-' tive movement, as shown in Fig. 7, the former and driver move downwardly together, the prongs or bifurcated lower ends of the former engaging the wire,cutting offa suitable length and bending the ends of said length-downward, as shown in Fig. 8. The cutting device preferably consists of the knife a, secured to the casing of the staple bending and driving mechanism and arranged to cooperate with the lower end of the former in cutting off the wire. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be observed that the cutting device thus provided is of such character as to provide the staple with one-sided points. Thecutting edges, it will be observed, do not extend at right angles to the wire, butare arranged to cut the wire on the bias, so to speak, and in such manner that each length of wire when bent into the proper shape through the cooperation of the former and loop-bar will have a pair of one-sided points as a result of the manner in which the wire is out. It will be seen (see Fig. 25) that the loop bar is maintained in position to cooperate with the former by having its upper end in engagement with the back of the driver 6. IZVhen the driver and former de scend together, and after the staple has been.

properly bent and shaped, the upper end of the loop-bar slips into the slot e and allows the driver to descend and force the staple from between the prongs of the former and into the wood of the crate. As stated, the staple is primarily provided with one-sided eeaeee points, and thus formed could not be satisfactorily driven into the wood. seen, however, that before the staple is allowed. to enter the wood its points are deflected or bent by theaction of the dogs or fingers e (See particularly Figs. 22 and 23.) These dogs or fingers are preferably arranged at opposite sides of the former and the driver and in position to be engaged by the lower end of the former. The downward movement of the former causes each dog to swing downward,

and in so doing the end of each dog or finger comes in contact with the staple-points, and the outward movement of the dogs although slight is, it will be seen, sufficient to slightly bend or deflect the points of the staple. In this way each staple before being driven into the wood is provided with apair of straight points, which enable it to enter the wood It will be without burring and without danger of its points being deflected from their proper path. In other words, by thus bending the points of each staple .the dogs or fingers insure accuracy in driving and enable the staples to enter the wood in a manner best calculated to firmly secure the slats ,to the crate-boards. IVithout the said dogs or fingers the staples would enter the wood in such manner as to be easily pulled out; but by straightening or centralizing the points of the staple this difficulty is obviated and absolute certainty and accuracy are insured in driving the staples. As illustrated, the said dogs or fingers are controlled by springs 6 These springs serve to maintain the ends of the dogs in their normally elevated positions, but allow the dogs to yield to the downward pressure-of the former, as

shown in Fig. 23. When the former and driver rise after the driving of the staple, said springs return the dogs to the position shown in Figs.

22 and 25; The spring 6 tends to normally maintain the loop-bar in the position shown in Fig. 12. In rising, however, the bevel e at the lowerend of slot 6 in the driver engages the upper end of said loop-bar and returns the lower end ofv said bar to its operative position.

(See Fig. 25.) In this way the operation of;

latche strikes the bevel e on the casing of.

the staple bending and driving mechanism.

As soon as said pin strikes said bevel the former and driver become capable of relative movement, the latch or arm a being thrown out of engagement with the upper end of the former, and the driver is then free to descend alone, the spring 6' holding the former 'the formation of the driver and former.

down upon the surface of the wood. It will be understood that the spring 6 yields and. permits relative movement between the bar a and the former.

The casing which incloses the staple bending and driving mechanism and which provides a guideway for the former and driver can be of any suitable construction and is preferably secured to the stationary bar a In'Figs. 7 and 11 the face-plate of said casing is broken away for the purpose of showing In Figs. 7 and 25 the former is in position to descend and cut off the wire and bend it over the lower end of the loop-bar. In Fig. 8 the former has descended and moved down ward] y to an extent sufficient to cut off the wire and bend it into the proper shape over the loopbar. Fig. 10 illustrates the arrangement of thedogsorfingers for straightening the staplepoints, and in this view the parts are in the same position as in Fig. 8. In Figs. 11 and 12 the .bar c is at the end of its downward stroke, and consequently the former is shown resting upon 'the wood or stock y, and the driver is shown resting upon the staple which has been forced by it through the slat and into the crate. The staple bending and driving mechanism thus constructed is simple and effective in its operation; but, as stated, other forms of construction may be employed, if desired. It is essential, however, thatin any case some provision be made forstraightening the points of the staple.

Any suitable arrangement can be adopted for reciprocating the bar a. As illustrated, the ends of said bar are connected with the power-shaft F through the medium of eccentric cam f and eccentric-rods f. Said cams are adapted to give the said bar the desired extent of throw or upand-down movement. As a simple arrangement for operating the feed-rolls c and e the shaft upon which the roll 6, is mounted can be provided with a ratchet-wheel e and the bar a" can be provided with a pawl e adapted and arranged to engage said wheel. With this arrangement the said feed-rolls will be actuated or rotated to feed the wire in the desired manner, the wire having an intermittent feeding movement as a result of the ratchet-wheel being engaged by the pawl each time the bar a moves upwardly. In other words, the upward movement of said bar operates through the medium of the ratchet device to feed the wire into the path of the former and driver. (See Figs. 7 and 9.)

Aspreviously explained, the rotary form holds the work and is mounted for bodily shift or adjustment in' such manner as to successively present the side and bottom edges of the crate-boards to the stapling devices. Af-

ter inserting the crate-boards in the former the slats or side pieces for the first side of the crate are then laid across the form and the said form is then caused to advance into position to allow the stapling devices to drive the stapics through the slats into the edges of said boards. As previously explained, with the construction of crate shown three staples are driven each time, one at each end and one in the middle. These staples,it will be observed, are preferably driven lengthwise into the edges of the crate-boards rather than crosswise. In other words, the staples are driven in such manner that their points are all in line, thereby making it possible to employrelatively thin crate -boards and comparatively wide staples. By the term lengthwise it is meant that the staples are longitudinally arranged and that when applied their heads or tops do not extend crosswise of the crate-board edges. It will be readily understood that it is desirable to have the form remain stationary during the driving of the staples. For this reason the form is construct ed and arranged to have an intermittent forward shift or feeding movement, the form first advancing until the stock is in position to receive the first staples. At this point the form remains stationary long enough to enable the drivers to insert the staples, and when this has been done the form then moves forward to an extent sufiicient to bring the stock into position to receive the next set of staples. At this point it again remains stationary long enough to permit the insertion of the staples and then again moves forward. This intermittent forward shift or feeding movement on the part of the form is continued until the two slats for the first side of the form are secured to the crate-boards, after which the form is caused to move back or return to its original or inoperative position. WVhen returned to its normal or inoperative position, the form can be rotated for a quarter of a turn, so as to bring the bottom 'edges of the crate-boards uppermost, and the form can be then advanced and the bottom slats can then be se cured to the bottom edges of the crate-boards in the same manner in which the side slats were secured to the crate-boards. When the bottom slats have been properly stapled and secured to the crateboards, the form is then caused to move back or return to its original or inoperative position and is then again turned or rotated for a quarter of a turn, so as to bring the remaining side edges of the crate-boards uppermost. In this position the slats for the last side of the crate are applied and the form then caused to movcforward, the operation of securingthese side slats being identical with the operation previously explained.

In order to allow the form to rotate, it will be seen that it is necessary for the 'form'and its support to separate. In other words, it is desirable thatprovision be made for causing sufficient relative movement on the part of the form and its support to permit the form to turn and present another side of the work to the stapling devices. This separation of the form and its support and also the forward and back movementof'the form can be accomplished in any suitable manner. As a matter of further and special improvement, however, the forward and back movement of the form and its support is accomplished from the power-shaft F through the medium of gearing F, the shaft F, the cam F the bellcrank lever F and the link F The said bell-crank lever can be mounted on the shaft F and its short arm can be provided with a roll f adapted to engage the periphery of said cam. The long or upper arm of said bell-crank is connected with the support D through the medium of the said link F Said cam rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows, and its periphery is so formed that its rotation will cause the form and its support to move forward, such forward movement being, as previously explained, a for- Ward intermittent shift or feeding movement. The cam is so formed that when the form and its support D reach the limit of their forward movement they are released and allowed to have a quick return movement to their original or inoperative position. As shown in Fig. 3, the form is in a position to receive the first set of staples, and, as previously explained, during the driving of these staples the cam F permits the form to remain stationary. The shape of the cam, however, is such that as soon as said staples are driven the form and its support are caused to move forward to an extent sufficient to bring the stock in position for the second set of staples. This intermittent forward movement of the form and its support is, as previously explained, repeated or continued until all the staples necessary for one side of the crate have been driven. When this has been accomplished, the notch ordepression F in said cam allows the form and its support to have a relatively quick return movement to the front of the machine. As previously explained, the form and its support must separate in order to allow the form to rotate, and for this reason the table B is, as previously explained, arranged for vertical reciprocation. Preferably the reciprocating movement of said table is accomplished from the powershaftF through the medium of the gearing F the cam F the arm F, the shaft F, the arm F and links F (See Figs. 3, 13, and 14: and also Fig. 1.) The cam F is secured to the pinion which meshes with the gear on the shaft F and, being loose upon the shaft F, Will, as a result of the employment of speedup gearing, revolve much faster than cam F The end of the arm F can be provided with a roll f arranged to engage the periphery of said cam. Both the arms F and F are keyed to the shaft F and provide a sort of bell-crank arrangement for enabling the cam F to raise and lower the table B. The formation of said cam F is such that the table will descend as soon as the last set of staples for one side of the crate has been driven. When the table descends, the hubs or bearings of the form rest upon the ways D. Said ways incline tomovement, the cam F then causes the'table to rise until the support D engages the under side of the form and until both the support and form are carried upwardly into position to receive the next pair of slats and be again advanced intermittentlybelow the stapling devices. It will be observed that the side portions of the table are provided with rolls or cylindric projections Z) and that the disks b are mounted upon the shaft F in position to engage said rolls or cylindric projections. Each disk is provided with a notch b and these notches engage said rolls or projections at the same time that the notchf in the cam F engages the roll f With this arrangement the said disks and the cam F cooperate to allow the table to fall. The purpose, however, of these disks is to support the table during the operation of stapling the slats to the crate-boards. For this reason the said disks are of such diameter as to cause the table B to rise sufficiently to carry the roll f away from the cam F it being understood that the cam F rotates much faster than the disk. In this way the cam F serves to give the table a quick rise, and the disks b then take up the movement and hold the table atthe required level during the intermittent movement of the form and its support. Each disk is provided, preferably,with a slight bevel b to enable it to properly engage the rolls b, and thereby give the table a slight additional upward movement, which carries the roller f beyond the reach of the cam F In order to prevent the form-from returning too quickly to its inoperative position, the table can be connected with the bell-crank lever F by means of a link or locking device F The bell-crank lever F can be provided with a bolt or pin sliding in slot f This slot permits the requisite relative movement during the upward movement of the form and the upward'movement of the table. When the table falls and the form and its support start to slide back, such backward movement of the form and its support is retarded by reason of the dog engaging the said belt or pin of the bell-crank F With the said dog engaging the said pin or bolt the backward movement of the form will be dependent upon the downward movement of the table B. With the form and its support occupying the position shown in Fig. 13 the dog will engage the belt or pin, and it will be necessary to disengage the dog or unlock the device before starting the mechanism for raising the table. This can be accomplished by providing a trip f which enf in the dog f.

gages said dog when the form is back and the table down and which will throw the dog out of engagement when the foot-treadle G is depressed for the purpose of starting the rotation of the cams. The table in rising will .draw the link or bar F upwardly until the bolt or pin upon the bell-crank F" will occupy a position near the lower end of the slot f". The tablethen, as explained, occupies its elevated position while the form and its support D move forward, such movement resulting in again bringing the bolt or pin on the bell-crank into engagement withthe notch In this way the link or bar F and its dogf, in connection with the pin or bolt on the bell-crank, constitute a looking device for practically locking the form to the table and for properly retarding the back movement of the form with its support. hen the bell-crank is locked to the link or swinging bar F the form and its support can again only move back as fast as the table descends. It is obvious, however, that various devices may be employed for retarding the return of the form and its support. It is also obvious that there are various ways for securing a separation of the form and'its support. For example, in Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 the table providing the guideway for the support D is secured to the frame or body of the machine. The hubs or trunnions of the form are arranged to travel on rails or ways H. These rails or ways can be provided with raised portions or inclines 11, which will operate to raise the form from its support when the two members are allowed to return to the front of the machine. In Fig. 16 the form and its support are shown at the limit of their forward stroke or movement, in which case the support D engages the under side of the form for the purpose of sustaining the weight of the form and the pressure of the drivers. In Fig. 15 the form and its support are shown at the limit of the return or back stroke, and in this case it will be seen that the elevated portions H of the rails hold the form in a sufficiently-elevated position to allow it to be turned or rotated. With this arrangement the cam for operating the bellcrank lever F can be of substantially the same shape and form as the one shown in the preceding construction. In this case, however, it is desirable that the form be allowed to travel farther back than in the construction shown in Fig. 3, and for this reason the link F is in this case provided with a slot f and with a dog or detentf In order to secure the desired action, the said dog or detent can be provided with a pin f The pin f at the upper end of said bell-crank is arranged to travel in said slot and during the operation of bending and driving the staples is in engagement with the notch in said dog or detent. A trip or swinging arm f can be supported from the under side of the table B and in position to engage the said pin f \Vith the form and its support in the posicrank lever can be suitably connected with the said foot-treadle G, and its upper end is preferably adapted and arranged to engage the form-support D. lVith this arrangement the initial downward movement of said treadle in starting the machine will cause the form and its support to travel forward until the dog or detentf engages the pin fl thereby locking the said pin at the rear end of the slotf (See Fig. 16.) At this point the cam F starts to rotate, and thereby continues the forward movement of the form and its support. It will be seen, therefore, that in the arrangement shown in Figs. 15 and 16 the primaryor initial movement of the form is accomplished through the medium of the foottreadle and that such movement is then continued by a cam, which causes the form to have an intermittent forward movement in the manner and for the purpose previously described. In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 13, and 14 a spring f is employed for returning the form and its support to the front of the machine. In the construction shown in Figs. 15 and 16, however, there turn movement of the form and its support is due to the action of the weightsf The size of these weights and the character of the incline H can be regulated for the purpose ofsecuring the desired retardation of the form in returning to its inoperative position. For example, the weights can be of such size as to draw the form and support back and cause the trunnions of the form to ride up the incline without jolt or jar. Preferably'the weights are only large enough to enable the form to reach the top of the incline. The said inclines with which the rails orrways are provided are, it will be seen, practically cams for causing a deviationin the movement of the form. Such being the case, it will be seen that in both this construction and the one previously described a cam device is employed for securing a separation of the form and its support. In the construction illustrated by Figs. 13 and 14: the separation of the form and its support is accomplished by means of a cam F In shaft F can be provided with a belt or pulley wheel G. The transmission ofpower from this Wheel to the shaft can be controlled by a suitable clutch G As illustrated, this clutch is operated by the foot lever or treadle Gthrough the medium of bell-crank lever G and the rod G. It is also desirable to make some provision for automaticallystopping the machine each time the form returns to its inoperative position. As asimple and effective arrangement for securing this mode of operation the said rod G can be connected to the table B through the medium of atrip or hellcrank lever G WVith this arrangement it will be seen that the lowering of the table will be accompanied by more or less movement on the part of said trip G and rod G and that such movement will operate to open the clutch, and thereby instantly stop the rotation of the shaft F. It is obvious, however, that various forms of clutch and'trip mechanism may be employed for this purpose. In the drawings a spring f is shown as a means forholding the clutch normally open. In Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 16 the foot lever or treadle is down, the clutch, therefore, being closed and the machine in operation. In Fig. 15, however, the treadle is up, the clutch open, and the machine at' rest.

The turning of the form can be accomplished either by hand or automatically. As a simple and effective arrangement for automatically turning the form the pawls or dogs I can be ar ranged to engage the ratchet-wheels 1' on the 1 hubs or trunnions of the form. With this aror ends of the crate.

rangement the back or return movement of the form and its support will be accompanied by a partial turn or quarter-rotation of the form as a result of the pawl engaging the ratchet. When the form moves forward, the pawls will slide over the teeth of the ratchet-wheels and remain in the position shown in Fig. 16 until the form again starts back and returns to its inoperative position. In this way the form can be automatically turned or rotated at the end of each'back stroke. Various other de- Vices can be employed for this purpose, if desired.

The removal of the product or finished work from the form may also be accomplished either automatically or by hand. The swinging arms or grappling-hooks J (shown in Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18) constitute a simple and elfective arrangement for automatically removing the-crate from the form. These hooks are arranged in position to engage the ends of the form and at the proper time to enter the slots J in the ends of said form. It will be observed that these slots expose the boards The ends of said swinging arms or grappling-hooks are of such character as to not interfere with the forward and back movements of the form and as to not attempt a removal of the crate until the proper time. It will be seen that the form first moves forward in order to allow the first pair of slats to be secured to the crate-boards. The form then moves back, is rotated, and then moves forward inorder to allow the'bottom slats to be stapled to the crate-boards. After this the form agaiu'returns to its inoperative position and then moves forward for the last time for the purpose of permitting the last pair of slats to be secured to the side edges of the crate-boards. When the form moves forward for the last time, the ends of the said arms or grappling-hooks enter the said slots and slip back of the top edges of the crate-boards. (See Fig. 17.) The form then moves back, leaving the crate between the two arms, as shown in Fig. 18. New stock can now be supplied to the form. By then causing it to move forward the finished crate will be forced forward from between said arms, and thereby ejected from the machine. said arms or grappling-hooks not only automatically remove the crate from the form, but also provide for the automatic ejectment of the crate from the back of the machine. It is apparent, however, that other suitable devices can be employed for securing this automatic removal of the crate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

There are numerous ways in which the slats can be supplied to the form and deposited in position to be operated upon by the stapling devices. For example, the operator may sup- .ply these slats to the form by hand and adjust them in place while the form is at rest. Still another way would be to provide a holder or hopper for automatically depositing the slats upon the upper side of the form. For example, in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 24 a suitable hopper is shown attached to the machine and arranged in position to automatically feed the slats in the desired manner. As illustrated, the said hopper or holder K is of a shape or form to hold a desired number of the slats in a superimposed condition and is arranged immediately in front of the staple bending and driving devices. Each end of said hopper or holder can be provided with a lip 70, (see Fig. 24,) upon which the ends of the In this way it will be seen that the lowermost slat are supported. The balance of the slats in the hopper will of course rest upon the slat which rests upon said lips. With this arrangement the form can be provided with means for removing two slats from the bottom of the hopper each time the form and its support move forward-for example, the end walls of said form can be provided with pivoted dogs 7t and 75" and a pivoted dog and pin or lip L and 70 The small projections thus provided will remove a pair of slats from the bottom of the hopper each time the form moves forward. The first projections will strike the lowermost slat, remove the latter, and carry itforward on the form, and the succeeding projections will then remove the next slat and carry it forward with the form, each forward movement of the form in this way automatically removing two slat-s and depositing them in place upon the edges of the crate-boards. It will be observed that the devices thus applied to the form for assisting unfinished side of the crate.

in automatically feeding the slats will not interfere with the removal of the crate in the manner illustrated in connection with Figs. 17 and 18. Fig. 24 is a detail sectional view showing a portion of the end wall of the hopper or holder and also a portion of the end crate-board 1. In this figure the adjacent portions of the form are also shown, and one of the pins is shown in position to engage the edge of the lowermost'slat. understood that this arrangement for automatically feeding the slats can be varied or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In operation the form is brought to its inoperative position, as shown in Figs. 13 and 15. In this position the machine is at rest and the form is in position to permit the attendant to insert the crate-boards. Then the crate-boards have been properly inserted, the attendant depresses the foot lever or treadle G, thereby starting the machine in the manner previously described. The rotation of the various operative parts, as already explained, causes the form to move forward, the support -D first engaging the bottom of the form, so

as to prevent the latter from rotating and so as to provide a firm base or support for the crate-boards. The form then moves forward, removes a couple of the slats from the hopper or holder, and then continues such movement to an extent sufficient to bring the stock into position to receive the first set of staples. The first set of staples in this case, three in number, is then driven through the first slat and into the side edges of the crate. The cam previously described then causes the form to move forward the required distance,and a second set of staples is then driven and the operation then continued in this way until both slats have been secured to the side edges of the crate. At this point, the cam releases the form from its support and allows the form to return to its original or inoperative position. At the end of its back stroke the form is automatically turned by the pawls or dogs I inthe man ner already described, and the form is then ready to again in ove forward for the purpose of permitting the second pair of slats to be socured to thebottom edges of the crate-boards. When these bottom slats have been secured to the crate, the form then again returns to its original position and is then turned for the purpose of bringing the remaining side edges of the crate-boards uppermost. The form is now ready to move forward for the last time for the purpose of enabling the stapling devices to secfiT6 the last pair of slats to the The arms or grappling-hooks J now engage or embrace the crate, as previously explained and as shown in Fig. '17,.and the form then moving back releases itself from the finished crate and returns to the front of the machine preparatoryto being again supplied with crateboards for the next crate. The next forward movement on the part of the form and its It will be readily,

support will, as previously described, force the finished crate forward and eject it from the machine.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the dash-pot M can be employed for retarding the downward movement of the table B. In this way the drop or downward shift of the table will not be accompanied by jolt or jar. As previously explained, by straightening the points the staples are rendered capable of being driven into comparatively thin stock without danger of the points of the staples being deflected through the sides of the board. The stapling mechanism is therefore capable of operating upon comparatively thin crate-boards and of securing the slats to the edges ofsuch boards in an eificientand highlysatisfactory manner. The process of making the staples is illustrated in Figs. 19, 20,.and 21. Fig. 19 shows the straight length of wire provided with one-sided points. Fig. 20 shows the said length of wire bent into proper form, it being observed that the points are still one-sided in character. Fig. 21 illustrates the last step in the process and shows the completed staple provided with straightened or centralized points. With respect to the construction shown in Figs. 15 and 16 it will be seen that the small projections which are provided for automatically removing the slats from the hopper can in this case be provided with beveled or slanting backs, so as to permit the form to return to its at-rest position without catching or interfering with the bottom of the hopper. With this provision the points or projections on the form will when the form moves back simply slide under and slightly raise the stock in the hopper. It will be understood, however, that such beveling of the projections shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 will not be necessary, as in this case the form has a bodily-downward movement, as well as a horizontal shift, in returning to its at-rest position. In the construction first described the pivoted dogs are desirable, as they automatically disengage themselves from the edges of slats when the form is in position to have the finished crate removed. I The pivoted dogs, it will be ob served, are weighted at their inner ends, and when the form has been turned for the last time these weighted ends drop down and disengage the hook-shaped ends of the dogs from the crate-slats, thereby permitting the crate to be removed from the form. The pins orfingers at the side of the form upon which the bottom of the crate is made can,

This is for structure composed of the rotatable form and sliding support. It will also be understood that the size or length of such projections can upper surface of the support D; but when it advances for the last time its axis will have become somewhat elevated owing to the fact that the slats which were first secured to the crate-boards are now interposed between the under side of said form and the upper sur- For this reason, asv

face of said vsupport. stated, the projections for the first side of the form can be somewhat longer than those of the succeeding sides.

It is obvious that the various features of the stapling-machine herein described may, if desired, be varied and modified without departingofrom the spirit of the invention.

hat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a machine for making crates or boxes, the combination of a rotatable form, bodilyshifting support upon which said form ismounted, said form and support being adapted to separate, so as to permit the form to rotate, mechanical devices or means for posi-.

tively moving said support forward and back in both directions, and staple shaping and driving mechanism for securing the slats orside pieces of said crate or box to the crateboards or end walls. p

2. In a crate or box making machine, the combination of means for inserting fastening devices, a rotatable form for holding the work, a sliding support upon which said form is mounted, the support and form being adapted to separate to permit the form to rotate,a driving-shaft adapted to be rotated by power, and power-transmitting connections whereby the former is moved back and forth by the power communicated to the shaft.

3. A machine for making. crates, comprising a rotary form adapted to hold the boards or transverse'walls of the crates,a support having a shifting connection with said form, the said transverse walls or boards of the crate resting edgewise upon said support, and suitable devices for securing the slats to the edges of said crate-boards, said form and support separating automatically for the purpose of permitting the form to turn or rotate, sub stantially as described.

4. A machine for making crates, comprising a shifting support upon which the crateboards are supported or allowed to rest edgewise, a form for holding said crate-boards in position to receive the slatsor side and bottom portions of the crate, suitable devices for fastcnin gs for securing said slats to the edges of said crate-boards, and mechanism for causing relative shift on the part of the said form and support, and also relatively to the means which insert the fastenings into the slats and crate-boards, such relative shift being for the purpose of permitting the form to turn or rotate and thereby successively present its sides to the means or devices for applying the fastenings to the slats and edges of the crateboards, substantially as described.

5. A machine for making crates, comprising a form for holding the crate-boards in their proper relative positions, means for driving or applying fastenings to the slats and edges of crate-boards, so as to secure said slats to the edges of said crate-boards, and mechanism for automaticallyshifting said form relatively to said means for applying fastenings, and also for automatically rotating the form, so as to automatically present the different sides of the form to the means or mechanism for applying the fastenings, the said form having an automatic and intermittent bodily shift relatively to the means which apply the fastenings, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. A machine for making crates, compris ing a rotatable form adapted to hold the crateboards in their proper relative positions, "a support having a shifting connection with said form, means for fastening the slats to the edges of the crate-boards, a cam for causing the form to have an automatic intermittent shift or feeding movement relatively to the means which apply the fastening devices to the slatsand edges of the crateboards, and suitable ways for engaging the form and causing the latter and the said support to automatically separate, said separation being for the purpose of allowing the form to'rotate, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a former, means for feeding the wire into the path of said former, means for cutting off the wire, aloop-bar arranged in position to support the wire and cooperate with said formerin bending and shaping the staple, a pair of pivoted dogs arranged in position to engage and bend the points or end portions of the staple, said dogs thereby centering and alining the staple-points before the staple is driven, and a driver, substantially as described.

8. In a stapling-machine, the combination of a former, means for feeding the wire into the path of said former, means for cutting off the wire in suitablelengths, the cutting device being of such character as to provide each length of wire with one-sided points, a loopbar-arranged to cooperate with said formerin bending the wire into staples, a pair of'pivoted dogs arranged in position to engage and bend the staple-points into the center, said dogs thereby centering and alinin g the staplepoints before the staples arev driven, and means for driving the staples, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for cutting wire and bend.- 

